I am about to finish third in a league for the fourth year in a row, and my Achilles Heel has been catching. Can you give me some advice about the value of good catchers and any tips for 2013?(Rick from Sarasota, FL)

Wow, consistent run. I don't think there is an ideal strategy for drafting catchers. I've read many pundits say avoid paying top dollar, but I've had success doing so. I've also had success investing avoiding the top dollar guys. I tend to like catchers that might see time at other positions, and thus, receive more plate appearances than others (think Ryan Doumit, Carlos Santana, Joe Mauer, etc). I also like younger catchers with some breakout potential. (Josh Shepardson)

Who will get the lion's share of Houston's Catching position. Quintero, Towles or someone else via trade?(bfitzge3 from Upstate NY)

Both have demonstrated pretty clearly that the Astros should be in the trade market right now. They really, really, could use Ryan Doumit in that lineup, and I'm sure the Pirates would be happy to relocate him. (Cory Schwartz)

The Tigers need a catcher to replace Laird (and share time w/Avila) and could use a little bit of power for next year. Marc/Kevin state today that the Pirates need some arms for next year.
Does Ryan Doumit for Armando Galarraga work as a fair deal? Would either side hang up right away? Does either side need to add another piece to make it work? Thanks.(JE from Ankeny, IA)

If I were Dave Dombrowski, I would be more interested in Chris Snyder than Doumit, as the former has more actual catching skills than the latter. The Pirates don't necessarily need Galarraga and I'm not sure what he would do for the rotation aside from provide a warm body who can eat up innings. The Pirates shouldn't pursue deals like this, as Galarraga is not that great of a pitcher and the last thing the Buccos need is a poor-peripheraled starter entering his arbitration years. (Eric Seidman)

hey Jay,
any truth to the Carmona to the Bucs rumor? and why would the Bucs want to even consider this move?(frank from Vegas)

Haven't heard any buzz on this but it would seem to me the last thing the Pirates need is another guy who relies upon putting the ball in play rather than missing bats. They get an endless supply of the pitch-to-contact guys from the Yankees in exchange for occupying the Kansas City Athletics Memorial Farm Club position in perpetuity.

All of which means that I fully expect Ryan Doumit to be in pinstripes soon, and probably Garret Jones, too. (Jay Jaffe)

Ryan Doumit's real life value. He's pretty good when he's healthy. Offensively at least.(Joe from Altoona)

I think Doumit is one of the better catchers around thanks to his bat. Catching is still a weak position across the majors, which makes Doumit valuable. The Pirates could probably pull in something good for him. (Marc Normandin)

Zach Duke is the type of guy I see as maybe 4th or 5th prize for an acquiring team. He doesn't have too solid of an established track record to make anyone excited, and most teams have a viable 4th or 5th starter with equal potential or upside. Doumit is interesting, but I cannot see the Rangers giving anything remotely valuable up for him. I don't think Duke+Doumit gets Perez. (Eric Seidman)

I like Doumit, and while he has yet to recover his 2007-2008 form, yes, he's got some value even as a .257/.336/.405 hitter. That said, you're barking up the wrong tree as far as hoping for a deal with the Rays, as they've been carrying Navarro, Shoppach and Jaso for a good portion of the year, and are pretty set behind the plate. (Jay Jaffe)

What do you see the trade value of a healthy Ryan Doumit being?(Joe from Pa)

Doumit has pretty good value. He's a pretty average hitter overall and he's a catcher. That's worth 2-3 wins and he's signed for 2010-11 for $8.65MM with options in 2012 & 2013 effectively for $7.75MM each. I think that's pretty much $20MM worth of trade value. If they tried to trade him for a Top 25-50 prospect, maybe that would work well. (Matt Swartz)

With the Pirates housecleaning well underway, who's the next to go? Would they entertain offers for Ryan Doumit?(Rob from Alaska)

I think it's possible they would trade Doumit since they two young catchers they like in Jason Jaramillo and Robinzon Diaz. I also think he wouldn't fight a trade because he is clearly unhappy about the direction of the franchise. (John Perrotto)

Do you think Ryan Doumit can repeat his successes in 2009, or was 2008 a healthy fluke?(Steve from Pittsburgh)

Bit of both? Sounds like a cop out and is, but I think Doumit's 08 is repeatable if he stays healthy. The Pirates medical staff is darn good at certain things and a bit iffy at certain things, but their results are solid. Problem with catchers is that health is almost by definition kind of fluky. Doumit doesn't have the track record to say that he's one of the guys who somehow stays healthy for a long period behind the plate. (Will Carroll)

Any thoughts on Ryan Doumit's defense behind the plate? The bat has looked nice and his health has largely held up. Being arbitration eligible, is he trade fodder or a piece of the future?(mymrbig from New Orleans)

Good enough to stay there. Not every catcher has to be Brad Ausmus, and Doumit hits enough to be a -5, -10 glove and still be an asset. I doubt he'll be in Pittsburgh when the team is good enough to contend. (Joe Sheehan)

I am going to a Pirates game on June 20 and would like to know if Ryan Doumit will be starting at catcher before then. I have heard his timetable maybe only another 2-3 weeks for his broken thumb.(31cornucopia from Trenton)

Hmm. It's certainly possible. The fracture was distal, so it comes down to pain tolerance. It's a great park, assuming you're going to PNC (which is where they are on the 20th ...) (Will Carroll)

re: Jeff Clement... even if that obstacle is Kenji?(strupp from Madison)

DH and/or first base would be the paths of least resistance, given Clement's problematic glovework and Johjima's outstanding reputation as a receiver. Not every team has the courage to work with Victor Martinez or take Ryan Doumit seriously. (Christina Kahrl)

I'm setting the over/under at 3 1/2 for the number of players on the Pirates' Opening Day roster that will be on their 2011 Opening Day roster. Which side are you taking?(ElAngelo from New York, NY)

I'll take the over, but that's because I think the organization is getting a Victor Martinez vibe from Ryan Doumit (about time, that), and that one position player plus three of the pitchers seems like a reasonable gamble. (Christina Kahrl)